" I don't understand mom, why'd I have to come all the way to the main family estate too see grandpa Curlano suddenly in the morning? "
" Did I do something wrong, am I in trouble? " A young female hellcat asked nervously, in a sweet sounding voice with a light Italian accent.
She and another female hellcat walked down a large fancy corridor together, the corridor they were walking through was filled with extravagant decor.
The corridor had an arched ceiling, with black marble, large windows throughout it, dark oak wooden walls, and shiny white marble tile flooring,
The young hellcat had a slim, toned, curvy figure, a large bust, was slightly taller than average, and had fluffy, light nightshade purple fur.
She had a jet black cloud pattern across her body, black tips on her ears, and black fur lining the inside of her ears, and black fur around her eyes and on her eyelids.
She also had dark nightshade purple eyebrows and lashes, and short, spiky, dark charcoal grey hair, with ash gray highlights.
She wore a black hoodie, with a dark red t-shirt underneath, light blue black designer jeans, and a steel gray leather belt.
" No, no, nothing like that Zella sweety. " Zella's mom said reassuringly in a sweet sounding voice with a light Italian accent.
" He just wants to talk to you about a job concerning the family business he has for you. " Zella's mom informed her daughter casually.
Zella's mom was slightly taller than average hellcat, and had light nightshade purple fluffy fur that was lighter than Zella's, with a black cloud pattern across her body.
She wore a fancy dark blue silk dress with a knee high skirt, a black silk waist sash, and a gold ring with a cut diamond encrusted in it on her wedding finger.
" Oh, so why do I have to see granpa Curlano, and why are you coming with me to his study room? " Zella asked curiously as she looked at her mom.
" You'll have to ask him about the details yourself, and I'm coming along because I wanted to give you a heads up on this. " Zella's mom said as she looked at her daughter with concern.
" The client for this job is a member of royalty, so it's a very important job that he wants to assign to you, but that's all I know. " Zella's Mom informed Zella of what she knew.
" R-Royalty, and he wants to me give me the job? " Zella asked in utter surprised shock, as she stared at her mom.
" I've had a few overlords and nobles as clients, but this is totally different, why's he wanting me to do this? " Zella asked as she looked at her mom in confusion.
" I'm not sure sweety, all he'd tell me was he thought you'd be a good choice for this, so it shouldn't be something you can't handle. " Zella's mom said reassuringly as she smiled at Zella.
" Okay, I hope your right mom. " Zella said softly, as they came to a stop in the middle of the corridor, where a pair of large double doors were.
The doors had beautiful and intricate ornate gold handles, the doors were made of polished black wood, with exquisitely detailed carvings across the whole door.
And on both doors, was a beautiful relief of the Zelramorta family crest, a sitting dark purple amethyst cat, with small black orchids across its body.
" I'll be right out here of you need me sweety. " Zella's mom said reassuringly as she placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder and smiled at her.
" Alright, here I go. " Zella said as confidently as she could, before she opened one of the door's and walked through them.
As she entered the room, she was greeted by the sight of large and fancy room, filled with luxurious furniture and decor.
The floor had rich brown maple wood tile, the walls were dark purple black, and the ceiling was bone white, dome shaped, and had Victorian style carvings on it.
The room had various works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, various weapons mounted on the walls, along with skulls of both animals and demons
In the center of the room, was a large white rug, where two black leather lazy boy sofas sat across from one another, with a large round coffee table in the middle.
The table had a clear glass top, with gold on the edges, and had fancy engraved table legs made of polished dark oak.
There was a large polished rich dark brown black desk that sat at the back of the room, with a large portrait placed on the wall behind it.
The portrait was framed in a ornamental gold frame, and showed a highly detailed painting of a dark nightshade purple black male hellcat.
He looked to be in his early thirties, and was wearing a fancy dark purple black suit, with a platinum tie and cufflinks.
The tie had the Zelramorta family crest on it, and the cufflinks had cut black diamonds encrusted on them.
He was standing up, with a regal posture and neutral expression, standing beside him in the portrait, was a female humanoid fish demon.
She was taller then the male hellcat, his head reaching the fish demon's chest, and had a slim, hourglass figure.
She wore a slim, seamless sapphire blue gown dress, and wore wore a thin gold chain ruby necklace, and gold wrist bracelets.
She had teal blue, smooth, flawless skinny skin, dark emerald green eyes with jet black pupils, and back length long light ocean blue octopus tentacles for hair,
Her hair of tentacles had dark sapphire blue and pearl white patches across them, and mimicked a comeback hairstyle, and she had shark like teeth.
Both of them wore a gold ring on their wedding fingers, the male hellcat's wedding ring had a blue diamond, while the female fish demon had a black diamond on her's.
And sitting at the desk, was the same male hellcat from the portrait, wearing a dark blue black suit blazer, a white dress shirt underneath, and black dress pants.
He was Curlano Zelramorta, Zella's great, great, great, great, great grandfather, and the head of the entire Zelramorta family as well.
He was sitting while looking at his black IPhone, the one he strictly used for family business, and was slowly scrolling through it as he sipped from a white coffee mug
" Hello and good morning Marzella. " The male hellcat said politely in a thick Italian accent as he looked from his phone and greeted his fifth generation great granddaughter.
" Hi grandpa Curlano. " Zella said happily as she greeted him back with a cheerful smile.
" Hmm, so has your mom brought you up to speed on the matter I called you here for? " Curlano asked after he gestured to the sofas in front of his desk as he got up.
" My mom told me you have a job you liked to assign me, and that the client is a member of royalty. " Zella said as she sat down on one of the sofas.
" Indeed, and I'm sorry that you had to come here so early and in such a rush, but this is very important. " Curlano said as he sat down on the sofa across from her.
" I get it gramps, so who's the member of royalty that's the client? " Zella asked as she leaned back against the sofa.
" The client, is the Prince of the Goesha family. " Curlano said casually after he took a sip from his coffee mug.
" T-The Prince of the Goesha family?! " Zella exclaimed in shock, as her eyes dilated to the size of saucers.
" Yes, and the job the prince has requested our services, is for a very unique job of great importance. " Curlano said slowly, as he took a another sip from his mug coffee.
" What do you mean gramps, who's the target that he wants dead, and why? " Zella asked curiously, wondering who the target she would be going after was.
"That's the thing, it's not an assassination, the job is to protect Prince Stolas's daughter, Princess Octavia. " Curlano said after he took a another sip of his coffee
" So, you want me to be her protection detail, till whoever is targeting her is eliminated, like that sorta thing? " Zella asked curiously as she took a guess about the nature of the job.
" No, it's a permanent station, you would be Princess Octavia's full time personal bodyguard, and before you refuse, everything has already been arranged. " Curlano stated simply, his tone leaving no room for debate.
" What?! " Zella exclaimed with utter shock and surprise as she started at Curlano with saucer sized dilated eyes.
Hearing what her great, great, great, great, great grandfather just said, Zella felt a number of things, anger and shock being the most prominent emotions.
And hearing it was already arranged, all without her knowledge or consent, made the storm of emotions she was feeling grow even worse.
" Gramps, I mostly do assassination jobs, that's what I'm good at, why'd you pick me for something like this? " Zella asked irritably, doing her best to restrain her anger.
" There's no doubt of your skills Marzella, you've certainly proven your an excellent assassin, but this is a very rare opportunity for us. "
" We have done jobs for the Goesha family before, but this would provide an opportunity to build solid ties with them. " Curlano said casually, before taking a sip of his coffee.
" But why me, why do I have to babysit some rich snobby brat? " Zella asked irritably with a heavy sigh of annoyance, as she leaned back in her sat as she folded her arms.
" Because, among the members of the Zelramorta family, you are the closet one in range of age with Princess Octavia. "
" Here, this is a file with information on her from her father, and from what we could gather about her, it should help make the job easier. " Curlano said, pulling out a gray folder from his fur and handed it to Zella.
" Hm, gramps, this says Princess Octavia is currently fifteen, and I'm sixteen. " Zella stated flatly as she looked through the papers and spotted the princess's age among the provided information.
" True, but as I said, your the only one who's closet's in age with her, and I have another reason for picking you for this. " Curlano said as he placed his mug on a black coaster on the coffee table.
" Oh, and what's that? "Marzella asked dryly as she slouched back in her seat.
" Over the years you've accomplish much, are very skilled and clever, and have shown great mature for someone of your age Marzella. "
" And most of all, you have proven to me that I can trust you to handle something this important Marzella. " Curlano said sincerely as he looked at her.
" Huha, fine, so when do I start the job? " Zella asked as she sighed heavily, still feeling mildly angry, though she knew how she felt of this didn't matter now.
" Saturday, which is tomorrow, Prince Stolas will arrive to pick you up and take you to his palace, living arrangements have already been taken care of. " Curlano said as he informed Zella, before picking up and taking a sip of his coffee.
" What, you mean I'm going to move from my family's home, and live with them from now on? " Zella asked, staring at him in utter dumbstruck shock.
" Yes, that was part of the arrangement, as the princess's personal royal bodyguard, you'll be required to be by her side at all times. "
" But don't worry Marzella, you'll be able to take time off, you'll just have to inform them head of time. " Curlano said casually with a reassuring tone, seemingly oblivious to the impact his words had on Zella.
" Augh, #$%&. " Marzella muttered softly as she slouched forward and placed her paw hand on her face in frustration, knowing there was nothing she could do about this.
" Augh, I'm so nervous, and I feel so ridiculous in these clothes. " Zella said with a heavy sigh, as she stood in front of the stairs of her family's estate in the early afternoon.
She wore a black business blazer jacket, a white business shirt, a blue choker with a oval shaped blood red ruby, and a pair of black business blazer pants.
On the left side of her blazer jacket's chest, was the family crest of the Zelramorta, and nearby she had several black suitcases.
Each had the Zelramorta family crest on them, and had a nametag with her name on them, standing beside her on her left was her mom.
And on her right, was an average sized dark crimson male hellcat, he wore a slick, midnight blue black suit jacket and pants.
He also wore a silver white dress shirt underneath, a black tie with the Zelramorta family crest, and gold cufflinks encrusted with a round ruby.
" I know sweety, but presentation is important, even more so on first impressions, and this is a very important job to the whole family. "
" And you do look very nice dressed like this sweety, very professional looking. " Zella's mother said reassuringly with a smile.
" Thanks mom. " Zella said softly with a weak smile.
" I know this is important for the Zelramorta family, but I'll be so far away from you all,and I won't be able to see you any of you very often anymore. " Zella said softly in a sad tone as she looked at her feet,
As she did, her ears laid low against her head, and her tail loosely wrapped around her waist and legs, fully displaying her emotional state.
" I know sweety, to think Curlano would do this, and without consulting with us at all, at least you'll be able to take days off. "
" But still, the nerve of him, doing this to our family, and making our youngest child do this all alone. " The dark crimson male hellcat that was Zella's father said angrily.
" I understand and feel the same Rakaldo, I do dear, but there isn't much we can do in this situation, Curlano is the head of the Zelramorta family. "
" He's authority is above ours when it involves family business, and matters related to it, there's not much we can do, for now. " Zella's mother said sadly with a pained frown as she looked at her husband.
" I know Abella, I know, its almost time for the prince to arrive. " Rakaldo informed them bitterly as he looked at the time on his black IPhone.
" Yeah. " Zella said softly as she checked the time as well, before pocketing her phone.
As they continued standing there and waiting, a moonlight blue white porta,l with a light purple outline suddenly opened up before them.
A moment later the, the tall owl demon walked through the portal, wearing his usual regal attire and feathery top hat and gold crown.
As he walked through the portal, a dozen imps dressed in fancy butler outfits walked through the portal behind him.
" Greetings your highness, welcome to our family estate. " Rakaldo said as he politely greeted the prince, as he, Abella, and Zella bowed their heads.
" Hello there Lady Abella and lord Rakaldo, its wonderful to meet you both. " Stolas said cheerfully as he greeted them and shook their hands.
" Ah, and you must be Lady Marzella, it's nice to meet you dear. " Stolas said cheerfully with a happy smile as he shook her hand.
" Likewise your highness. " Zella said polity with a practice smile, before she respectfully bowed her head.
" What a beautiful home you all have here, love the twelfth century style Victorian gothic architecture, and the landscape and flower beds are beautiful. " Stolas said as he looked over Zella's family estate.
" Thank you your highness, the mansion was designed by my grandfather, and the landscape, tree placement, and flower gardens were done by my grandmother. " Abella said politely with a smile.
" Well its a very lovely place, and I'm terribly sorry since we've just met, but I'm pressed for time and must cut this short. " Stolas said sadly after he looked at a golden wristwatch on his right arm.
" Of course your highness. " Abella said politely with a practiced smile and understanding tone.
" Take her luggage to the room we've prepared for her. " Stolas said casually as he looked at the imp servants that came with him.
" Yes your highness. " One of the male imps said with a bow, as he and the other imps servants went to moving Zella's luggage through the portal.
" Take care sweety, don't forget to call us, and be careful over there. " Abella said as she hugged her daughter, whispering the last part in her ear. "
" I will, bye mom. " Zella said as she hugged her mom back.
" Take care Zella. " Rakaldo said as he hugged his daughter.
" I will, bye dad. " Zella said as she hugged her dad back.
As they broke the hug, Rakaldo patted her on her shoulder, and Zella looked at her parents with a smile, before walking through the portal behind the prince.
As she crossed the threshold of the portal, she felt soft carpet beneath her feet, and saw she had stepped into a luxurious palace.
She saw she stood inside the palace, just at the front door, she then looked back to her parents, they waved at her and she waved back at them before it closed.
" Alright, time to doe this Marzella. " Zella thought as she let out a heavy sigh, before she turned and followed the prince further into the palace.
" You have a lovely home your highness. " Zella said as she walks close behind the owl demon noble, looking over the interior of the palace as she followed behind him.
" Why thank you dear, now follow me and I'll take you to meet my daughter. " Stolas said as he gestured for her to follow him as he walked on.
As they walked through the palace, Zella noticed many imp waiters and servants running about, coming and going in the same direction they were.
They were carrying fancy silver trays with varies kinds of foods and drinks, Zella noticed the company name on their uniforms.
" Decadent delights, their a high-end catering company from the gluttony ring that mainly do catering for the super rich, is there some special event happening today? " Zella thought as she wondered what was going on.
" Oh, and I'm sorry for having you leave so abruptly like that, after I just met you and your parents, but I was in such a hurry to get back to the party. " Stolas said apologetically as he looked down at Zella.
" Party, is there some special event happening to day your highness? " Zella asked curiously as she looked up at the owl demon.
" Oh yes, today is my dear daughter's sixteenth birthday party! " Stolas said excitedly with a happy smile, as they neared a pair o double doors.
As they walked up to them, Stolas opened both doors, and as they walked through them Zella saw she was in the palaces backyard.
Throughout the large yard, there were party decorations, all of which had a cosmic coloration and theme to them.
The palace's backyard was very large, and a massive party was taking place, the party and decorations had a cosmic theme and coloration to them.
There were many guests attending the birthday party, a majority of them looked to be related to Zella's new employer, while others where from different noble families.
" This looks more like a one of those noble social gatherings, rather than a birthday party. " Zella thought as she looked around as they walked.
As she and Stolas walked through the crowds, many of the guests were subtly looking at her, some curiously, some with caution, and others with hints of fear.
" Many here seem to know my family's reputation, good, maybe none of them will bother me, talking with most nobles can be arduous. " Zella thought, subtly noticing all the looks she was getting.
As they walked, Zella saw they were heading to where a tall white female owl demon was, she wore a seamless silk red dress, with a gold fur collar and trimming.
She wore a gold tiara, elbow high silver silk gloves, a thin gold chain necklace with three small black diamonds, and black high heels.
She had a wine glass filled with a red wine, and was talking to a few owl demons that looked to be relatives of her's.
" Stella, have you seen Octavia? " Stolas asked the tall white female owl demon.
" Hm, last I saw her, she was heading towards the east side gazebo. " Stella said dismissively with an uninterested tone as she looked at him.
" And who's this? " Stella asked coldly, looking at Zella with a glaring look, scrutinizing every detail of her person.
" Oh right, this is Marzella Zelramorta, Marzella, this is my wife Stella. " Stolas said happily, as he introduced Zella and his wife to each other.
" It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Stella. " Zella said polity as she greeted Stella, while she respectfully bowed her head.
" Zelramorta, I've heard of your family, a clan of hellcats vastly know and renowned for their deadly assassin skills and success rate. "
" And built a tremendous fortune and reputation, using their skills alone, and obtained a family title of high nobility over fifteen hundred years ago. " Stella said as she looked at Zella, recalling what she knew of the hellcat's family.
" Indeed your highness, it is a great honor that you know of us. " Zella said with a practiced smile and a polite tone.
" Hmm, so why is she here? " Stella asked dryly as she looked at her husband, immediately disregarding Zella's presence.
" I recently hired Marzella for her services as a bodyguard, she'll will be living with us, and will be Octavia's personal bodyguard from now on. " Stolas said as he informed his wife.
" I see, how nice of you, I'm sure she'll be delighted. " Stella said simply as she forced herself to show a convincing smile.
" Why is she so angry at hearing that? " Zella thought curiously, seeing past Stella's fake smile, and seeing the burning anger in her eyes.
" Indeed, now let's go find her and introduce you two. " Stolas asked as he headed off to find his daughter, with Zella right behind him
After walking some distance, they came upon a secluded area with a large fancy octagon shaped outdoor, with a fancy outdoor couch and two chairs.
The couch and chairs had fancy white metal frames, with dark cherry red pillows, and in the middle of them was a glass coffee.
And sitting on the outdoor couch, was the birthday girl herself, princess Octavia, lazily sitting and heavily slouched back on the couch.
She wore a midnight blue black silk gown with a faint dark purple hue, an intricate gold tiara with white diamonds, and black high heels designed for her avian feet.
She was busy scrolling on her IPhone, she was so focused on it, she didn't even notice her father and Zella walking up to her.
" Hello my owlette, enjoying the party? " Stolas asked sweetly as Zella and him entered the gazebo.
" Sure, I'm having so much fun. " Octavia said dryly with heavy sarcasm, as she continued looking at her IPhone.
" Somebody's in a bad mood, wonder why? " Zella thought curiously, while she quietly observed them with a mask of neutrality.
" That's wonderful to hear darling. " Stolas said happily, completely oblivious to his daughter's sarcasm.
" Oh, and I've brought a very special someone here to meet you Via. " Stolas said as he gestured for Zella to step forward.
" Hm, who are you?" Octavia asked as she finally looked up from her IPhone, curiously looking at Zella.
" Hello there Princess Octavia, it's a pleasure to meet you and happy birthday, I am Marzella Zelramorta, from the the Zelramorta family. " Zella said politely as she respectfully bowed her head while she introduced herself.
" Never heard of them. " Octavia said bluntly with a bored tone as she looked at Zella.
" Oh. " Zella said softly, not expecting to hear that.
" The Zelramorta family are a well respected high noble family of hellcats, they're also well renowned and highly skilled assassins and bodyguards. " Stolas informed his daughter.
" And you remember how you've been wanting to go out the palace more often, but didn't want a bunch of guards following you around? "
" Yeah, so? " Octavia asked her father tierdly, wandering what his point was.
" Well, starting today, Marzella here will living here with us and will be your personal bodyguard, she and her family are one of the best."
" She'll accompany you anywhere you wish to go, and will be by your side and protect you, happy birthday my owlette! " Stolas said happily with a delighted smile.
" Huh? " Octavia asked, her expression and tone filled with confused and shock.
" She wasn't aware of this, why? " Zella thought curiously, as she silently listened as she stood there.
" Now I've got o see about some things, so I'll leave you two alone to have a chance to get to know each other, have fun dear." Stolas said happily, before opening a portal with a wave of his hand.
" Wait, dad you can't just! " Octavia began to say as she quickly stood up, but he had already stepped through the portal and closed it behind him.
" Aauuugh! " Octavia groaned loudly with irritation, as she headed back to the gazebo couch, and slouched heavily as she sat back down and placed her hands on her face.
" Huha, so, your my bodyguard now. " Octavia said tierdly as she lifted her head and looked at Zella with light annoyance.
" Yes your highness. " Zella replied politely with a neutral tone.
" And your going to be following me around everywhere, from now on? " Octavia asked dryly with annoyance.
" My job as your bodyguard is to protect you, and insure your safety your highness, so I will be required to stay by your side to do so. " Zella politely informed her.
" Ugh what was he thinking, this wasn't what I wanted! " Octavia said, as she groaned loudly in annoyance as she leaned back in the coach.
" Oh you don't #$%&ing like this, well I don't #$%&ing either, I had to leave my home and family because of this, so that makes two of us. " Zella thought angrily, while maintaining a completely neutral face.
" My apologies for being such an inconvenience to you, your highness. " Zella said politely as she kept her tone neutral.
" I'm sorry, it's not your fault, your just doing your job, and you can stop addressing me like that, just call me Octavia. "
" And please stop talking and acting so formally, I hear it enough as it is and it gets on my nerves, and I'm sure it does for you too, since I can tell your not use to it. " Octavia said with a tired sign.
" Well, she's different from what I was expecting, maybe she's not like most of the nobles I've dealt with. " Zella thought, as she reevaluated her opinion of Octavia.
" I'm terribly sorry your highness, but I'm afraid I can not do that, if word were to get out of me casually treating someone of your status like that. "
" It would reflect poorly on me, and my family, and possibly damage my family's reputation and standing with other nobles. " Zella said polity as she respectfully bowed her head.
" Ugh, then just speak and act how you normally would when it's just us, alright? " Octavia asked as she signed in annoyance.
" Are you saying I have your permission to do so and speak freely your highness? " Zella asked polity with a curious tone as she looked at Octavia.
" Ugh, yeah, yeah, now just stop acting and speaking like that already. " Octavia said as she rubbed her face in annoyance.
" Huha, sorry about that, I don't like acting and speaking so formally either, but I have to be careful with my words and how I act around nobles and royalty. " Zella said as she relaxed and spoke normally.
" Why, your from a family of high nobility. " Octavia said, as she raised an eyebrow curiously.
" Yeah I am, and it's indeed troublesome, but my family wasn't originally, my family became so through selling our skills, and making a tremendously successful business. "
" So despite how I feel, I act like so formally around those of high status, so I don't accidentally cause trouble for my family. "
" And because in the past, most of of my clients of high status reported how I normally am, was seen as unprofessional and childish, since I tended to speak my mind. " Zella said as she finished explaining her reasons.
" Yeesh, sorry to hear that, sound like a real pain to have to put yourself through, well you won't have to do around me Marzella. " Octavia said as she sat up.
" Thanks, I really appreciate it Octavia, oh and you can call me Zella, since we're being so friendly, you wanna be friends? " Zella asked curiously as she suddenly reached her hand out towards Octavia.
" Ah yeah, yeah I'd really like that Zella. " Octavia said happily, as she shook Zella's hand with a faint smile.